Careers Brief - Applied Art & Design FdA
Overview
To be successful in the applied arts requires talent, drive and good business sense. Many 2D and 3D designer makers are self-employed or freelance and will be managing their own business, selling directly or indirectly through galleries and shops.
You need to be self-confident and a good communicator to promote yourself; be prepared to work long hours to meet deadlines; be creative and practical, have good visual communication skills and enjoy working with your hands.
IT skills are becoming increasingly significant and familiarity with design software is useful. You could be working on your own or as part of a team and might well have to travel to deal with clients and market your work.
Go to the website links below to find out more.
Further Study
You will be able to apply for a top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Ordinary or Honours degree, though entry may be selective.
Alternatively, you could transfer onto a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, portfolio and overlap between courses but could be the final year.
Go to www.thecollege.co.uk/courses/ for information on the one-year BA (Hons) Applied Art & Design Top-up degree, awarded through Bournemouth University and designed as progression for this course.
Other institutions offering related Top-ups include:
Bath Spa University; Cleveland College of Art & Design; Hereford College of Arts; Kirklees College
To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK ). Use the university/college links for course details.
You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.
Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Go to the university/college site for information on costs and finance and to www.direct.gov.uk/uni/ for additional help with student support.
Go to the main Further Study section of this Careers Guide for additional help.
Useful Links
Creative Choices - online service supporting the individual and business in the creative industries and cultural sector.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Government Careers Advice service
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on sub-heading 'Job Families & Articles' or Quick Search by typing in job title
www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm
Graduate Prospects - national careers website for HE students studying in the UK:
The Artists Information Company supporting contemporary visual arts practice:
Go to sub-heading 'Publications' and click on side-heading 'HE Publications' - 'Signpost' the new graduates' guide to being an artist.
The Arts Council England - developing, promoting and investing in the arts in England:
Go to sub-headings 'Funding' and 'Publications' to 'Browse all information sheets' - click for 'Careers and training'.
Artjobster - free artworkers jobsite for the UK
Arts Jobs and News - free service from the Arts Council England
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Government Careers database and links to jobs nationally
The Crafts Council promotes contemporary crafts
Design-Nation an educational resource for designers - go to 'Business start-up guide' top left
www.arts.ac.uk/student/careers/
University of the Arts London - Creative Careers
Careers site
http://artsmatrix.plymouthart.ac.uk/
ArtsMatrix is the skills and enterprise development agency for the Creative Industries in the South West
Intute is a free online service providing a database and access to web resources for study and research. Browse 'Creative and performing arts'.
Brief careers site
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for advice and help with making applications.
